WICHITA FALLS, Texas — The City of Burkburnett is proceeding with plans to upgrade several components of its water system.
Improvements include upgrades to water treatment, emergency water supply, and distribution. One of the most significant changes will be the increased capacity of the city’s emergency water storage.
The current 40,000-gallon tank will be replaced by an existing 1.8-million-gallon tank. This enhancement is expected to help maintain water availability during extended droughts and can be used recreationally.
“That will provide us with 1.8 million gallons of storage, allowing us to divert our effluent from Wild Horse Creek and into this tank. Dusty Burkybile, Assistant City Manager of Operations, stated that there should be no shortage of effluent water.
In addition to emergency storage, the city intends to replace the ultraviolet disinfection system at the wastewater treatment plant. City officials will also soon solicit bids for a treatment process that prevents gypsum buildup in water treatment systems.
“This is the issue with calcium and sulfate. Those two basically produce gypsum. We need to separate them before they bind, because when they sit still, sediment forms.” Burkybile explained.
As part of the upgrades, the city plans to replace several fire hydrants and install a new unidirectional hydrant flushing system.
City officials expect to complete all of these projects by the end of 2025.
